Hebrew Union College Opens Doors to Jerusalem Students During Exam Period

This past Shabbat marked a meaningful step forward in Hebrew Union College’s commitment to serving the broader Jerusalem community. For the first time, the College opened its library to students from across the city’s higher-education institutions who needed a quiet place to study during the challenging exam period.

Between 60 and 100 students attended that first Saturday, finding refuge in the College’s welcoming space. The response was overwhelmingly positive, with students expressing gratitude for having access to a proper study environment on Shabbat, a resource that had been sorely lacking in Jerusalem until now.

The initiative emerged from a partnership between the College and Deputy Mayor Adir Schwartz, who recognized that while study spaces operate at high capacity throughout the week, students who need to prepare for exams on Saturdays have had few options beyond studying at home. The pilot program, which runs from January 31 through February 28, offers students a dedicated space every Saturday from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM during the current exam period.

“Jerusalem must know how to support students of all backgrounds—seven days a week, 365 days a year,” Deputy Mayor Schwartz noted when announcing the program. “I’m pleased to announce the opening of a proper study space on Saturdays as well; a need that came directly from the field.”

According to Nachman Shai, Ph.D., Rabbi David Ellenson Dean of the Taube Family Campus, “[f]or Hebrew Union College, hosting these students represents more than just providing study space; it’s an expression of the institution’s commitment to opening its doors to Jerusalem’s young people and the broader public.”

Adds Rabbi Dganit Timor Jenshil, Chief Operating Officer and Director of Outreach at the Taube Family Campus, “It was delightful to see students from various fields of studies from science to humanities, business and arts filling the library space, grateful for the option to study on Shabbat. We offered them a Kiddush with some sweet refreshments and lots of beautiful learning spaces for inspiration.”

The Jerusalem Municipality is supporting the initiative by covering the expenses associated with hosting students, making it possible for the College to sustain this service throughout the exam period.

This coming Shabbat, the College will continue the program while also celebrating Tu BiShvat, presenting to city residents “the College’s rich “green” offerings and environmental initiatives,” says Shai. It’s another example of how the College is finding ways to connect with Jerusalem residents while sharing its unique resources and values.

Looking ahead, College leadership plans to evaluate the program at the end of the exam period to determine how to sustain and expand activities of this kind, not only in the library but potentially in other areas of the College as well.

With approximately 50,000 students studying in Jerusalem, the demand for accessible, quiet study spaces extends well beyond exam periods. While this pilot focuses on the immediate need during exams, it could serve as a model for year-round programming that keeps the College engaged with Jerusalem’s vibrant student population.

The program clearly complements Hebrew Union College’s broader vision of becoming a more integrated part of Jerusalem’s cultural and educational landscape. By opening its doors on Saturdays, the College is playing a unique role in supporting students from all backgrounds and institutions throughout the city.